Translation guide
A marriage-like relationship that exists in practice but not by legal formalities. In Japanese, this is most commonly expressed as 事実婚 (jijitsukon), but other terms exist for specific contexts.
To refer to a couple living as husband and wife without legally registering their marriage.
The standard term for a de facto marriage. It implies a committed relationship recognized socially but not legally registered.
彼らは事実婚の関係にある。
They are in a de facto marriage.
A shorter form of 内縁関係, often used in compound terms like 内縁の妻 (common-law wife).
A more literal and formal phrase meaning 'de facto marital relationship'. Used in legal or academic writing.
この法律は事実上の婚姻関係にある者も保護の対象とする。
This law also protects those in a de facto marital relationship.
事実婚 is the more modern, everyday term for a couple who chooses not to register their marriage, often for ideological reasons. 内縁 is an older legal term that may imply the couple intended to marry but didn't complete registration, and it carries more legal weight in certain contexts like inheritance or pension rights.
In Japan, de facto marriages are less common than in some Western countries, and the legal system does not grant the same rights as registered marriage. Terms like 事実婚 are often used in discussions about alternative family structures.
Often used in legal contexts to describe a common-law marriage. It emphasizes the relationship aspect and is common in discussions of rights and obligations.
内縁関係にある配偶者にも相続権が認められる場合がある。
A spouse in a common-law marriage may also be granted inheritance rights in some cases.
彼は内縁の妻と暮らしている。
He lives with his common-law wife.